Old Testament Pictures of Christ

Many Christians prefer to concentrate on the life of Christ and the New Testament writings. However, the Apostle Paul said, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable…” (1Timothy 3:16,17). This wise counsel opens our minds to see a wonderful harmony between both testaments.

In this issue, we take a brief journey to view how God foreshadowed the work of our Lord. This faith-strengthening approach reveals that our Heavenly Father knew exactly what would transpire far in advance of the actual events. He is in control of man’s destiny through a wise and orderly plan. Due to our limited space, a more thorough listing of prophetic events is available in the accompanying insert.

The Brazen Serpent recounts the consequences of Israel’s murmuring as they journeyed to the Promised Land. Fiery serpents were sent, and many Israelites died. Upon their repentance, God commanded that a copper serpent be made as a way of deliverance. Anyone looking upon the image would be saved. It was a fitting symbol of looking unto Jesus in faith and accepting his sacrifice.

The Kinsman Redeemer takes us to the book of Ruth and her love story with the older man, Boaz. As a “near kinsman,” Boaz was asked to spread his garment over Ruth, to take her into his care. It is a beautiful picture of our Lord accepting his own bride and providing the needed price of redemption.

The Stone Rejected by the Builders reviews the imagery of a rejected stone becoming the chief cornerstone. The religious rulers of Israel, the builders, had rejected the Lord, who would one day become head of a new spiritual temple. This temple would be made up of individuals specially chosen to share in the work of restoring true worship of God.

Jonah describes the prophet’s refusal to preach in Nineveh as a symbol of Israel’s initial disobedience to God. Jesus added another aspect when he equated Jonah’s time in the belly of the great fish to his own time in the grave. Jonah eventually went on to convert Nineveh, a picture of the Kingdom.

Pictures of Jesus’ Sacrifice explores various prophetic details of Jesus’ sacrifice. He was “slain from the foundations of the world.” Jesus knew the year of his death and that he would be crucified and suffer dehydration. His garments would be parted amongst his persecutors. Yet, despite knowing many details of his sacrifice, he was willing to present himself as our precious Redeemer.

Foregleams of Christ examines various Old Testament individuals who pointed to Christ. Jesus was “the last Adam.” The animal sacrifice of Abel indicated that man’s relationship with God would depend on a blood sacrifice. Jesus is then likened to the deliverer Moses, whose life reflects our Lord in many ways. His successor, Joshua, then led Israel into the Promised Land, an apt picture of Christ’s Kingdom work.